So the New Year 2023 is upon us. All the love and generosity of the Christmas season has left our hearts and has left the flame of willpower burning. Many goals and promises have been made while stuffing cake down our throats. But slowly the wick of the willpower flame has burned down and we are left frustrated and confused. Have you managed to remain loyal to your new year’s resolution or have you fallen shamelessly to your cravings and laziness?
For many of us, it’s a real task to keep goals that we make at the start of each year. But we fall into a stream of false hope when we make those resolutions. While at that time a resolution of “I want to lose weight” seems very simple, it is also very unspecific.
No, I am not saying that you are a greedy person who cannot pass by the dessert table at a buffet without picking up a thing or three. All I’m saying is, making wrong goals at the beginning of a year is a one-way street to failure.
1. Decide what it is you want.
People make mistakes right at the start with simplistic and typical goals such as “I am going to join the gym.” Goals such as this are doable but it doesn’t define what it is you actually want and how you will go about it. Another way to state this goal is “I am going to go to the gym at least twice a week.” This way, your goal explains what it is you want to do, it may not seem like much but it is easier to achieve. You can always start another goal later on.
For example last year my new year’s resolution was “Stay happy.” Which seemed very optimistic and great but it didn’t help me or tell me anything. So I changed it halfway through the year to “Change a negative thought into a positive thought, each week and write it down.” This goal for me was much more understandable because I knew what it is I had to do and it was much more beneficial.
2. Be realistic
Many of us create extreme goals that seem to be forgotten by the end of January. Many of my friends and family have made and not kept new year’s resolution such as “I will give up chocolate” or “I will not eat any more junk.” These are set to fail. I recommend you start off slow which will increase your chances of succeeding. So strive for a more achievable goal such as “I am going to find an alternative to my favourite junk food” Or “I am going to allow myself chocolate twice a week.”
3. Make smaller goals.
Making smaller goals will allow you and give you the room to carry on making goals along the way. Once you have achieved a goal, you can make another one. Smaller goals are quicker to achieve which will allow you to feel more successful, and will keep you positive. And positivity is helpful when working towards a goal.
4. Ask for help.
There are many goals that can be achieved with the help of others. If your goal is to stop smoking, the best way will be to visit your GP who can recommend techniques and methods in which you can participate. The same goes for losing weight. Doctors and weight loss groups will give you the support and information you need to go about your goal safely. Sometimes it’s easier to go all in and do it yourself. But it’s more reassuring to get the help of people who know their stuff than being stuck in the deep end later on.
5. Rewards.
Why not plan rewards after each phase of working towards your goal? Maybe your New Year’s resolution is to get promoted in 4 months. Why not keep a different reward for yourself once you have passed each step toward your goal? Maybe step one is to set up a meeting with your boss. Once you have done that why not reward yourself with a cake or a favourite film on DVD?
Rewards keep us motivated and stimulated which will lessen the chance to give up.
I wish you all the best and hope you all achieve everything you deserve in 2023.
